State of Connecticut - Insurance Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2020
CONTACT: Jim Carson, Communications Director
860-214-1539
Jim.Carson@ct.gov
 

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER APPROVES EXPANSION OF
FREE LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS
FROM MASSMUTUAL DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais announced that additional frontline healthcare workers and eligible volunteers in Connecticut and six other states are now eligible to receive up to $25,000 of free term life insurance. The Connecticut Insurance Department expedited approval of the expansion of HealthBridge, a new Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) life insurance product that offers free guaranteed issue policies to frontline healthcare workers and eligible volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. MassMutual has committed to providing $3 billion of insurance coverage through HealthBridge to these deserving and resilient individuals.

Now active employees and qualifying volunteers of the following facilities and providers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California whose jobs may involve occupational exposure to the virus can apply online for the 3-year term life policies:

  • licensed hospitals;
  • urgent care centers;
  • emergency medical service providers;
  • nursing homes;
  • assisted living or inpatient hospice;
  • inpatient cancer centers;
  • eligible Federally Qualified Health Centers; and
  • temporary COVID-19 treatment facilities.

The policies of up to $25,000 would be paid to a trust in the name of designated beneficiaries in the event of a covered healthcare worker’s death.

“When MassMutual first reached out to us with this idea in April, we quickly approved it so frontline healthcare workers can benefit from the support life insurance can offer,” said Commissioner Mais. “I’m happy to see this will now be available to even more workers and to the many selfless volunteers who take care of all of us.”

“We were proud to create HealthBridge as our way of saying thank you to the brave frontline workers who are doing so much to help others at the height of this pandemic,” said Roger Crandall, MassMutual Chairman, President and CEO. “With the expansion of this program, we will ensure that more people in more states qualify for this valuable protection, helping to provide peace of mind as they continue to put the health and well-being of others above their own.”

Interested individuals can find more information or apply on the HealthBridge page by uploading proof of employment or volunteerism and filling out a short application online. For volunteers to receive this free act of financial protection they must be actively volunteering at least 10 hours per month at an eligible provider or facility that is engaged in testing, treating or evaluating COVID-19 cases where they have direct contact with COVID-19 patients.

Consumers, insurers and brokers with questions can contact the department directly by email at insurance@ct.gov, online, or by calling the Department at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Regular email news updates are available from the Governor’s Office by subscribing online here.

 
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Consumers with questions about their insurance can get more information by:
  • Email us at insurance@ct.gov
  • Ask a question or file a complaint online
  • Call the Consumer Helpline at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.
  • Sign up for e-alerts to get the latest news, warnings and rate changes that may affect your premium
  • Download consumer FAQs on health, homeowner and auto coverage
  • Use the Department’s Speakers Bureau for public events.
  • Visit our Web site and follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube